NYT Dictionary

DUNK

/dʌŋk/
VerbNounDUHNGKGrade 2

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2021, 2024, 2025, 2026

Meaning

To submerge briefly in a liquid.

Etymology

Origin: Latin

From Pennsylvania German dunke, from Middle High German dunken, from Old High German dunkōn (“to dip, submerge, dunk”), from Proto-West Germanic *þunkōn (“to make wet”), possibly from Proto-Germanic *þunkōną, from Proto-Indo-European *teng- (“to moisten, wet”). Cognate with German tunken (“to dunk”), Latin tingō (“to wet, moisten”), Ancient Greek τέγγω (téngō, “to wet, moisten”). Related to taint, tincture, tint.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

dipsouseplungedousebaptizeburydelugedrenchdrownduck

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 6 recorded puzzles:

Join the Spelling Bee Community

Get solving strategies, rare word lists, and puzzle tips in your inbox every week.